This series on DZ shots was great work Andrew ... really appreciate the effort!
Biggest takeaway = credit to Arne for changing tactics after the Brentford match. As you pointed out, we deserved at least 6 more points from the 6 draws since Aston Villa (we'd still be in the title race). Arne has played the hand he was dealt very well (an extremely difficult hand), though you'd never know it listening to media/fan banter. Look at his track record...
First Season: He delivers a league title & is a Quansah-header-off-the-post from making the UCL QTR; all despite: (i) adjusting to a new country, league, or club, (ii) succeeding a legend, (iii) no transfer spend, and (iv) left to manage the player feelings & public controversy re: the contract expirations of Mo/Virg/Trent. Throughout, he demonstrated tactical nous + an ability to get the most out of his talents (esp. Mo, Dom, Ryan, Luis).
Second Season: He's on course to qualify for next season UCL + go for it in this year's UCL despite: (i) the tragic loss of Diogo, RIP, (ii) selling 2 of our best players + 3 reliable squad players, (iii) integrating 6 new players, 4 of which were changing country/league/club, (iv) Alex's late arrival & fitness issues + injury, (v) the dip in form of Mo/Macca/Ibou, (vi) Mo's drama surrounding not starting in 4 EPL matches, (vii) losing Mo to AFCON just as Alex is injured, and (viii) Hughes' inability to close the Guehi deal in the summer. That's a lot of roman numerals! Almost all of these factors were beyond Arne's control & several were sudden or unexpected.
Arne's not perfect but his is a track record of leadership & accomplishment through difficulty. Where other managers (Amorim, Postecoglou) have stubbornly refused to adapt, Arne has changed his game model to play the hand he's dealt as Andrew's data shows. Where others have made public comments against their hierarchy (Maresca, Glasner), he hasn't. He's demonstrated strengths in areas we need in a manager, e.g. (tactical nous, player development, working within FSG's model). Yes, he's got some annoying in-game tendencies and press conference behavior, but that is on the margins. Does anyone doubt that next season, he'll have it easier and develop further as a manager? We'd be fools to replace him with Xabi who's accomplished a lot but is an unknown quantity in the EPL and within the FSG/Edwards model.
Sorry for the long rant but, similar to Virgil's comments this week, I get really frustrated when supporters complain and reach for too-simple solutions (Xabi) vs looking at the facts.
I haven't seen any further news on it. I'd like to think another data provider will get them up and running again with detailed stats. Fingers crossed anyway.
It's nice to write a positive article. The tide is turning...
This series on DZ shots was great work Andrew ... really appreciate the effort!
Biggest takeaway = credit to Arne for changing tactics after the Brentford match. As you pointed out, we deserved at least 6 more points from the 6 draws since Aston Villa (we'd still be in the title race). Arne has played the hand he was dealt very well (an extremely difficult hand), though you'd never know it listening to media/fan banter. Look at his track record...
First Season: He delivers a league title & is a Quansah-header-off-the-post from making the UCL QTR; all despite: (i) adjusting to a new country, league, or club, (ii) succeeding a legend, (iii) no transfer spend, and (iv) left to manage the player feelings & public controversy re: the contract expirations of Mo/Virg/Trent. Throughout, he demonstrated tactical nous + an ability to get the most out of his talents (esp. Mo, Dom, Ryan, Luis).
Second Season: He's on course to qualify for next season UCL + go for it in this year's UCL despite: (i) the tragic loss of Diogo, RIP, (ii) selling 2 of our best players + 3 reliable squad players, (iii) integrating 6 new players, 4 of which were changing country/league/club, (iv) Alex's late arrival & fitness issues + injury, (v) the dip in form of Mo/Macca/Ibou, (vi) Mo's drama surrounding not starting in 4 EPL matches, (vii) losing Mo to AFCON just as Alex is injured, and (viii) Hughes' inability to close the Guehi deal in the summer. That's a lot of roman numerals! Almost all of these factors were beyond Arne's control & several were sudden or unexpected.
Arne's not perfect but his is a track record of leadership & accomplishment through difficulty. Where other managers (Amorim, Postecoglou) have stubbornly refused to adapt, Arne has changed his game model to play the hand he's dealt as Andrew's data shows. Where others have made public comments against their hierarchy (Maresca, Glasner), he hasn't. He's demonstrated strengths in areas we need in a manager, e.g. (tactical nous, player development, working within FSG's model). Yes, he's got some annoying in-game tendencies and press conference behavior, but that is on the margins. Does anyone doubt that next season, he'll have it easier and develop further as a manager? We'd be fools to replace him with Xabi who's accomplished a lot but is an unknown quantity in the EPL and within the FSG/Edwards model.
Sorry for the long rant but, similar to Virgil's comments this week, I get really frustrated when supporters complain and reach for too-simple solutions (Xabi) vs looking at the facts.
"We'd be fools to replace him with Xabi who's accomplished a lot but is an unknown quantity in the EPL and within the FSG/Edwards model."
I do wonder if Alonso wouldn't be the slam dunk that many assume.
Glad you liked the DZ articles, Stephen.
Yeah the data loss is a real sickener. It makes doing what I do a lot harder ☹️
I read FBREF's message ... any other news on this issue or hope of it changing?
I haven't seen any further news on it. I'd like to think another data provider will get them up and running again with detailed stats. Fingers crossed anyway.